Omaha outlasts Indianapolis for 12-inning win

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Down to their final strike in the top of the ninth, the Omaha Storm Chasers tied the game to force extra innings and ultimately defeated the Indianapolis Indians, 6-5, in 12 innings after scoring three runs in the top of the 12th. It was the longest game of the season for Omaha (38-22) in both innings (12) and time (4:01). It was the longest game of the season for Omaha (38-22) in both innings (12) and time (4:01).

Trailing, 3-2, in the top of the ninth inning, left-fielder Rudy Martin drew a two-out walk and stole second to advance to scoring position. On the next pitch, shortstop Lucius Fox bounced a single through the right side to bring Martin in and tie the game. Right-hander Jake Newberry allowed runners to advance to second and third in the bottom of the ninth, but stranded both with the help of a diving stop at second base by second baseman Angelo Castellano to send the game to extra innings.

Omaha improved to 3-0 in extra-inning games this season.

Newberry and right-hander Tyler Zuber (Win, 1-1) combined for 2.0 scoreless innings in the 10th and 11th innings while left-hander Joe Jacques and right-hander Shea Spitzbarth did the same for Indianapolis (30-30).

The Chasers took the lead in the 12th, striking for three runs on three hits against right-hander Matt Eckelman (Loss, 0-4). Designated hitter Anderson Miller reached on an infield single to push Fox, the placed runner, to third. Next, first baseman Ryan McBroom slapped a go-ahead, RBI single into left-center field to give Omaha the lead. Two batters later, third baseman Jimmy Govern lined a single to center to bring in McBroom and cap the scoring.

Right-hander Domingo Tapia (Save, 2) allowed three straight singles to begin the bottom of the 12th inning, including RBI singles to Joe Hudson and Dee Strange-Gordon that made it a one-run game. Tapia rebounded to strike out the next two batters and induce a flyout from Christian Bethancourt to strand runners on first and second and end the game.

Indianapolis scored first in the game, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a solo home run by Anthony Alford against right-hander Brandon Barker. Barker allowed just three hits across the rest of his start and retired the final 10 batters he faced through the fourth and sixth innings. He threw 6.1 innings—the longest start for a Chasers' starter this season—and allowed one run on four hits while striking out three and issuing zero walks.

Right-hander Luis Oviedo, who was making a rehab appearance, and right-hander James Marvel kept the Chasers off the scoreboard until the fifth, when Govern blasted a solo home run over the left-field fence. Govern was playing his seventh career Triple-A game, and his first since being called up from High-A Quad Cities on Tuesday.

Omaha took the lead in the eighth inning. Centerfielder Edward Olivares walked with one out, stole second base, and scored on the next pitch when McBroom hit a soft ground ball through the vacated right side of the infield.

The Indians battled back to tie the game and take the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Right-hander Dylan Coleman issued a four-pitch walk to Taylor Davis and then allowed a double to Strange-Gordon. Davis scored on the double when Olivares bobbled the ball in deep right-center field. Strange-Gordon later scored on a wild pitch to put Indianapolis in front heading into the ninth inning.

The Storm Chasers continue their series against the Indianapolis Indians on Thursday at Victory Field in Indianapolis, Ind., when left-hander Daniel Lynch (4-3, 6.38) faces right-hander Max Kranick (1-2, 6.05). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT and coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. CT with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone.

After the series against the Indianapolis Indians, the Storm Chasers return to Werner Park for a six-game series against the St. Paul Saints that features a Bubba Starling "Bubba Fett" bobblehead giveaway—presented by Fairfield Inn & Suites—to the first 1,500 fans on Friday, July 23 and the rescheduled FNBO Independence Fireworks Show following Friday’s game. For tickets and more information, please visit omahastormchasers.com, call the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100 and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.